20200917014809A

When: 09/19/2020 23:10Z

Where: lost power approximately 4 nautical miles (NM) west of kpwk at approximately 1200 feet above ground level (AGL). Aircraft came to rest at n 42° 07? 13? W 88° 03? 47?, quentin road (landing south) near colfax road. Adjacent to 580 north quentin road Palatine, Illinois.

An airline transport pilot was operating a Cessna 177RG N2699V from chicago executive airport (kpwk) to lake in the hills airport (3CK) approximately 20 miles away. The pilot reported that prior to start, the fuel quantity shown on the electronics international incorporated fuel flow/pressure (FP-5) indicator was at 9.5 gallons. The pilot reported that he did not open the over wing fuel tanks to visually confirm. The pilot reported that he did not use the fuel quantity indicators that were installed in the aircraft. The pilot took off of runway 16 and made a turn to the west enroute to 3CK. In the climb out 4 NM west of kpwk the aircraft lost power. The pilot reported that he attempted the checklist engine failure procedures. When engine power was not restored the pilot declared an emergency with kpwk air traffic control tower, and decided on an off airport landing. The pilot reported that he elected to leave the landing gear in the retracted position. The pilot touched down and skidded on quentin road traveling south. The aircraft hit a utility pole with the right wing, which turned the aircraft and brought it to a stop. The pilot was uninjured. The propeller and belly of the aircraft were damaged as the aircraft landed on the roadway. The right wing was substantially damaged by the collision with the pole at the station that coincides with the outboard edge of the flap. First responders and subsequent recovery truck workers stated that there was no fuel leakage. The recovery truck driver who is experienced in aircraft recovery, stated that he opened the fuel tanks to ascertain if there was fuel present that could cause a hazard during recovery, and found no evidence of fuel present. The aircraft was moved to a hangar at kpwk, and placed back on the landing gear. FAA inspectors met the pilot at the hangar. The pressure transducer based fuel flow/pressure indicator still indicated 5 gallons of fuel remaining, the float based fuel quantity gauges read zero fuel in both tanks. The fuel tank visually had a trace amount of fuel at the bottom of the tank. The aircraft was able to be started by the pilot and ran for 3 minutes at idle before commanded to shut down. The inspectors on scene disconnected the fuel lines at the fuel control unit, and pumped out the remaining fuel which totaled 1 gallon.

The electronics international incorporated FP-5 operating instructions rev I (02/09/2004) was on board the aircraft as is required, and contained the following text marked as ****must read****.

?The fuel remaining displayed by the FP-5 is not a measurement of the fuel in the tanks. It is an amount calculated from the starting fuel level you programmed into the FP-5, minus the fuel used while the engine was running. ? It is important the pilot visually check/measure the fuel quantity for each tank before takeoff and crosscheck these readings against the fuel level gauges and the FP-5."